From Faith to Faith

Do you know what an anchor bolt is?  It is a device, made of a strong material (such as steel or titanium), that anchors another structure to concrete (usually).  It is foundational in its function.

In the dictionary definition "faith" is not specific in its object.   If you look the word up you find this:                            complete trust or confidence, strong belief not based on "proof".  
We exercise an earthly type of faith every day.  We have confidence that gravity is going to anchor us to the floor, that our lungs are going to find air, that the car we ride in will get us from point A to point B, that our buildings won't topple in a strong wind.  We do this based on human experience, so that it is "second nature".

Regarding faith in the one, true God, though, we find this exercise to be more problematic.  Although we clearly see evidence of Him all around us, when our faith is stretched, we are tempted to disbelieve.  This is a conundrum, not just for unbelievers, but for believers as well.

Paul makes the point in today's scripture that faith is "the only way to go".  It is the "anchor bolt" of the Bible.

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, "The righteous by faith will live."

Romans 1:17

We first get a glimpse of the importance of faith, in studying the lives of the patriarchs, such as Noah and Abraham.  But, we are not going to plunge down that well this morning.

In my last post, I mentioned two other scriptures where this teaching is recorded.  The first is Habakkuk 2:4.  At the beginning of that chapter, we find Habakkuk standing on top of the city wall, waiting for an answer from God.  In verse 2, God begins to give His answer.  But, it is more than the current answer Habakkuk was seeking.  It was a "forever answer".

 And the Lord answered me:

“Write the vision;

    make it plain on tablets,

    so he may run who reads it.

3 

For still the vision awaits its appointed time;

    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

If it seems slow, wait for it;

    it will surely come; it will not delay.

4 

“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,

    but the righteous shall live by his faith.

(ESV)

Wait for it....wait for it....Messiah is coming.  He will surely come, in God's perfect timing, God told Habakkuk.  And, in that day, the righteous will live by his faith, as has been the case from the beginning.  Yes, the very beginning.  In Genesis 2:16-17, God issued a command and a warning.  He was asking Adam to trust Him, to believe Him, to have faith in His holy word.  I guess you know how that turned out!

So, when Paul, in Romans 1:17, is explaining to the Romans how to access a relationship with God, he points back to the path God established with Adam, continued through Abraham, and re-affirmed with Habakkuk: we come to God through faith.

Let's look in closing at another affirmation of this truth (there are many in scripture), from Hebrews.

But My righteous one will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38 (HCSB)

A few verses later, the writer of Hebrews re-emphasizes this foundational truth, and then goes on to devote the remainder of the chapter to example after example of fallible humans who anchored their souls to the One and Only.

 Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 (HCSB)

"By faith....to faith".... Listen to the long-ago words of commentator, Matthew Henry.

God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God's word. Though the promised favour be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God's all-sufficiency will not walk uprightly with him. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, while the performance of them is deferred. Only those made just by faith, shall live, shall be happy here and for ever.1

Dear Father, 
Help us to remember that it is our faith that pleases you, our unwavering confidence in Your Word, a faith that is evidenced by our walking in it, walking .... resplendent.  In Jesus' name, amen.

2 

Source:

1  http://biblehub.com/habakkuk/2-4.htm